Coach me if you can! Dark triad clients, their effect on coaches, and how coaches deal with them

Figures & data

Figure 1. Process mediation analysis: How dark triad leaders influence the coach and coaching.

Note. Standard regression coefficients with the standard errors in the brackets are depicted with significant pathways being highlighted by thick arrow lines and the significance level (***p < .001; **p < .01; *p < .05). Non-significant pathways and independent variables are shown with dotted (arrow) lines. Direct effect: t(63) = 0.47, p = .642; total effect: t(63) = −0.24, p = .808; effect of leadership level on the perceived client’s dark triad score: t(63) = 2.62, p = .011.

Figure 2. Process mediation analysis: How dark triad leaders influence the coach and coaching.

Note. Standard regression coefficients with the standard errors in the brackets are depicted with significant pathways being highlighted by thick arrow lines and the significance level (***p < .001; ** p < .01; *p < .05). Non-significant pathways and independent variables are shown with dotted (arrow) lines. Direct effect: t(63) = −1.23, p = .206; total effect: t(63) = −1.33, p = .187; effect of leadership level on the perceived client’s dark triad score: t(63) = 2.62, p = .011.

Figure 3. Process mediation analysis: How the coach’s approach motivation influences coaching.

Note. Standard regression coefficients with the standard errors in the brackets are depicted with significant pathways being highlighted by thick arrow lines and the significance level (***p < .001; ** p < .01; * p < .05). Non-significant pathways and independent variables are shown with dotted (arrow) lines. Direct effect: t(63) = −1.23, p = .206; total effect: t(63) = 1.96, p = .054.

Table 1. Qualitative data for successful strategies that were named more than once and were not named among the unsuccessful strategies, ordered by dark triad tendency.

Dark triad tendency	Strategy	Frequency
Narcissism	Practice mindfulness	4
	Deal with it with humour	3
	Be patient	2
	Be steady	2
	Be well-prepared	2
	Repeat	2
	Teach the client self-compassion	2
	Emphasize own competence	2
Machiavellianism	Not take part in the game	2
Psychopathy	Try to relativise	2
	Recommend therapy	2

Note: No quotes are mentioned in the qualitative data regarding successful strategies, as coaches only listed their strategies as displayed (no further information on why or how these strategies worked).

Table

education	11% PhD, 66% university degree, 17% vocational training, 6% school degree
coach training, hours, specialization	83% have coach training; 70–17.800 hours (M = 950.34, SD = 2849.71); specialization: 34% systemic, 10% solution-centered, 7% career-oriented, 5% NLP, 44% other
amount of clients	1–10.000 clients (M = 338.92, SD = 1253.64)
supervision	80% yes, 20% no

Table

Strategy	Frequency
Give client space	9
Confront the client	6
Show empathy towards the client	5
Teaching the client	4
Exert pressure on the client	4
Reframing	4
Mirror the client’s behaviour	3
Show client self-perception vs. other-perception	2
Have precise agreements (goal, time)	2
Let client have long conversation times	2
Focus on the perspective of the others	2
Ask circulating questions	2
Try to fulfil client’s needs/demands	2
Ignore client’s needs	1
Ask open questions	1
Show dominance	1
Illustrate negative aspects	1
Indirectly confront client	1
Give feedback	1
Only little confront client	1
Promote client’s personal responsibility	1
Mechanic procedures	1
Argument	1
Stick to the facts	1
Focus on the client’s past	1
Have no clear agreements (goal, time)	1
Be clear / transparent	1
Be diplomatic	1
Work body-oriented	1
Refer to client’s feelings	1
Work with client’s strengths	1
Visualize	1
Have only little structure	1
Help client to open up	1
Ask client to self-reflect	1
Ask client to show empathy	1
Interrupt coaching	1
Try to help client find solutions	1
Stop exercising active listening	1
Give client no time/space to talk	1
Have a goal-oriented coaching	1
Be demanding	1
Hold on to own expectations	1
Show appreciation	1
Reflect client’s thoughts and problems	1
Empower client	1
Try to build up trust	1

Note: No quotes are mentioned in the qualitative data regarding unsuccessful strategies, as coaches only listed their strategies as displayed (no further information on why these strategies did not work).